2016

Please note that the sightings below do not reflect the variety of species you can see in a normal day out birding or wildlife watching. These reports concentrate on more unusual species or significant counts or movements.

31st May:

Lewis: A White-crowed Sparrow is at 28 South Dell. An Iceland Gull was at Eoropie.

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo was still in the garden 1.5 km north-west of Bayhead early morning and showing well on the roadside fence this evening. A Little Stint was at Aird an Runair and a Greenland White-fronted Goose flew north.

South Uist: A female Blackcap and Spotted Flycatcher are at North Loch Eynort.

White-crowned Sparrow (Colin Bushell)

30th May:

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo was again in the roadside garden 1.5 km north-west of Bayhead although viewable only from eastern edge of Loch Sandary this afternoon before it flew down towards the loch. A male Ruff was at Loch nam Feithean. A Barnacle Goose was on Vallay. A Spotted Flycatcher was near Ahmore and a Whitethroat was in Lochmaddy.

Benbecula: 2 male Ruff were displaying at Loch Mor this morning and a Curlew Sandpiper was in Stinky Bay this evening.

Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Eoropie machair. A White-billed Diver drifted south off Port of Ness late morning and a Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher were in the area.

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo was in gardens along the east side of Loch Sandary this morning although mobile. It was also on the west side of the garden around 1.5 km from Bayhead late this afternoon before flying towards Loch Sandary. The juvenile Glaucous Gull was near the visitor centre at Balranald again today; also a pale-bellied Brent Goose at Balranald.

Barra: A Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hawfinch and 2 Swifts were at Brevig today.

Insects: Moth trapping at Druidibeg last night produced 15 Ruddy Highflyers, 6 Scalloped Hazel, 1 Water Carpet, 1 Foxglove Pug, 5 Common Pug, 8 Nut-tree Tussocks and a Pebble Prominent. During the day 2 Syndemis musculana and an Ancylis uncella were netted on Eriskay.

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo was in roadside gardens 1.6 km north-west of Bayhead today. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Balranald.

Black-billed Cuckoo (Andy Williams)

24th May:

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo was again between Struan House and then gardens along the main road just north of the Paible Circlar road. An Iceland Gull was in Lochmaddy early morning.

Barra: A Turtle Dove was at Brevig and a new Spotted Flycatcher was in North Bay.

Black-billed Cuckoo (Mary Lewis)

23rd May:

Lewis: A Spotted Flycatcher, Redwing and Wood Pigeon were at Port of Ness whilst a Brent Goose was near the Butt.

North Uist: The Black-billed Cuckoo is still in the Paible area and was last reported from Struan House B&B. A Long-tailed Skua and 3 Pomarine Skuas past Aird an Runair; also a Sandwich Tern north there today and a Red-necked Phalarope which flew off to the south-west.

Black-billed Cuckoo (John Kemp)

22nd May:

North Uist: A Black-billed Cuckoo was reported this afternoon from the garden opposite the north end of the Paible circular road where it meets the main road - NF738690. A Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Little Stint were on the beach at Aird an Runair.

Black-billed Cuckoo (Ada Campbell)

21st May:

North Uist: 1 Long-tailed Skua, a Puffin and 3 Whimbrel flew north at Aird an Runair this afternoon.

Benbecula: The Crane was seen at Nunton today.

South Uist: A Whimbrel at Ardvule and 31 Sand Martins over Loch Bornish. 5 Whimbrel flew north at Smerclate.

Barra: Grasshopper Warblers were at Garrygall and Cuithir. 4 Common Redpolls were at Glen and 3 Whitethroats were at Brevig. 2 Whimbrel were at Borve.

Marine Sightings: A Basking Shark was off Brevig, Barra this evening.

Arctic Tern and Redshank chick (John Kemp)

20th May:

Lewis: An Osprey was seen by the B8011 by Loch Rog Beag.

North Uist: A Redwing was in Carinish today. 3 Pomarine Skuas flew north at Aird an Runair.

Barra: The Turtle Dove was still at Brevig today.

Fulmar and Shoveler (John Kemp)

19th May:

Lewis: A 2nd yr Little Gull was at Barvas and an immature Glaucous Gull flew through at Loch Stiapabhat.

North Uist: 1 Long-tailed Skua and 3 Pomarine Skuas past Aird an Runair late this afternoon / early evening. 3 Ruff were also around Balranald.

Benbecula: 2 Common Redpolls were at Liniclate.

South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher was at North Loch Eynort. The Common Crane was seen at West Gerinish.

18th May:

North Uist: 5 Long-tailed Skuas and a Pomarine Skua were seen early morning heading north before another 4 Long-tailed Skuas came in over the machair at Balranald and slowly drifted north offshore. A White-billed Diver was also reported off Balranald early this morning before flying south. Common Redpoll was on Grimsay. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was by the visitor centre at Balranald again today; also a pair of Ruff and 9 Brent Geese in the area. A Pink-footed Goose and Little Gull were on Baleshare.

Benbecula: 5 Black-tailed Godwits were on Loch Fada.

South Uist: 2 Pomarine Skuas flew north at Ardvule this morning. A Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Common Redpolls and a Siskin were at North Loch Eynort.

Barra: A White-billed Diver was north of Eoligarry Pier. A Turtle Dove and Tree Pipit were at Brevig this morning. Blackaps were at Glen, Brevig and Castlebay. 2 Common Redpolls were at Brevig and at least 2 were at Glen.

North Uist: A 2nd yr Iceland Gull was on Lochmaddy Fire Station and a 2nd yr Glaucous Gull was at Grenitote. 2 Brent Geese and 4 Whimbrel flew north at Aird an Runair this morning.

Benbecula: A Redwing and Common Redpoll were in Liniclate.

South Uist: 6 Pink-footed Geese and a Black-tailed Godwit were at the north-west corner of Loch Bee.

Barra: An immature Iceland Gull was off Brevig. 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Whitethroat and 2 Common Redpolls were at Brevig. 8 Long-tailed Ducks were off the west side just north of the Barra Beach Hotel.

Marine Sightings: 29 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved south off Brevig this morning whilst 5 Risso's Dolphins swam north around lunchtime and 2 Minke Whales were off there this evening.

15th May:

North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Loch nam Feithean.

Benbecula: A Quail was calling from the east end of Loch Mor.

South Uist: A Common Crane was at the south end of the Range and the 6 Dotterel were still at the north end of West Gerinish. A juvenile Iceland Gull was also on ploughed fields in West Gerinish.

14th May:

North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull and an Iceland Gull were in fields opposite Balranald visitor centre.

Benbecula: The White-winged Black Tern is still at Coot Loch along with 2 Black-tailed Godwits this morning.

South Uist: 6 Dotterel are still on the Range along with 17 Whimbrel; with 4 more at Ardivachar. A Chiffchaff, Whitethroat and 2 Common Redpolls were in South Glendale.

Barra: A Hawfinch was on Vatersay today. 2 new Whitethroats were at Brevig. 2 Blackcaps were in Castlebay and 2 were in Northbay.

Dotterel and White-winged Black Tern (Steve Duffield)

13th May:

North Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Balemore. The Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean.

Benbecula: The White-winged Black Tern was at Coot Loch throughout the day; as well as a Ruff in the morning and a House Martin was also there this afternoon. A Glaucous Gull was at Aird. 2 Garganey were on Loch Mor in the evening.

South Uist: 6 Dotterel were on the Range. 5 Brent Geese were at Balgarva.

White-winged Black Tern (Steve Duffield)

12th May:

North Uist: The male Dotterel is still to the south of Loch Paible and 2 Little Stints are on the tidal area. 2 Dotterel (a pair) are at Balemore along with a juvenile Iceland Gull. A Garganey, 5 Ruff and a Blakc-tailed Godwit were at Loch nam Feithean

Benbecula: The drake Garganey is on Loch Fada. 4 Common Cranes flew north at Stinky Bay at 17:20. A White-winged Black Tern was on Coot Loch this evening from 20:00 - 21:00 at least.

South Uist: 7 Dotterel and 4 Pink-footed Geese are on the Range. The Dotterel are at approximately: NF755444. A Hobby flew north at Loch Carnan late this afternoon. 8 Little Gulls were at Ardvule this evening.

North Uist: The Dotterel is still on the machair south of Loch Paible. 2 Little Stints and a Glaucous Gull were on Loch Paible. A male Ruff was at Loch a' Roe, Balranald. A Spotted Flycatcher was in Ben Risary Plantation.

Benbecula: A Redwing was in Lionaclate. A drake Garganey was on Loch Fada this afternoon.

Barra: 4 Common Redpolls were at Glen and another was at North Bay along with a Siskin. 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Blackcap and 5 Siskins were at Brevig.

North Uist: A House Martin was in Carinish this evening. A Tree Sparrow was at Hougharry and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Loch na Reivil. A Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also seen at the west side this evening along with a pair of Garganey and a Ruff.

South Uist: A drake Common Scoter, Pink-footed Goose and Chiffchaff were at Rubha Ardvule. A Siskin and 2 Common Redpolls were in South Glendale. A Siskin was at Loch Eynort. A Chiffchaff was singing at the north end of Loch Bee this morning.

Barra: Spotted Flycatchers were at Northbay, Ardmhor and Cuithir whilst 4 Whitethroats and 7 Blackcaps were around the island. Single Siskin were at Garrygall, Northbay and Eoligarry.

Lewis: A drake Pintail was on Loch Stiapabhat. A House Martin was at Eoropie and a male Redstart was at Fivepenny.

North Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull and hybrid Glauc x Herring Gull were at Balranald along with 20 - 30 Barnacle Geese and a pale-belled Brent. 30 Barnacle Geese were near Callanish as well as a Chiffchaff and Black-tailed Godwit.

Benbecula: A 1st winter Iceland Gull was in Stinky Bay.

South Uist: A 1st winter Iceland Gull was south of Ardvule. A female Siskin was in South Glendale. Around 20 Sand Martins appeared to be prospecting on the coast at Garrynamonie.

Barra: The Little Egret was at Borve. 2 Sand Martins flew north at Allasdale. 43 Long-tailed Ducks were at Traigh Hamara. Plenty of Corncrakes and Sedge Warbler around the island plus a Redwing at Bruernish and a Common Redpoll at Glen.

Lewis: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Port Stoth, near the Butt this afternoon. 20 Pink-footed Geese were at Fivepenny this afternoon whilst at Eoropie there were 185 Dunlin.

North Uist: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Balelone. A Little Stint was with Dunlin off the Baleshare causeway this afternoon.

South Uist: A Tree Sparrow was in Bornish (also yesterday) and 2 Ruff were on Bornish machair. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardivachar. 4 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch an't-Saile and 65 were at the north end of Loch Bee. 100 Whimbrel were on the range at West Gerinish.

Marine Sightings: 2 Harbour Porpoise were off Ardivachar this morning.

6th May:

South Uist: A House Martin flew north-west over the moor north of Loch Carnan this morning.

Barra: A House Martin, Blackcap and 3 Grasshopper Warblers were at Brevig. A Sedge Warbler was also seen along with a Little Egret at Allasdale, 3 Blackcaps were in Castle Bay, 3 Swallows were at Leinis, 5 Black-tailed Godwits were at Borve and a Sandwich Tern was at Eoligarry.

Marine Sightings: 3 Harbour Porpoise were seen in the bay at Brevig, Barra.

5th May:

North Uist: 8 Black-tailed Godwits were in Carinish this morning and at least 16 were by Loch nam Feithean. A Chiffchaff and at least 13 Whimbrel were also in Carinish. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Loch na Reivil. 6 Long-tailed Skuas, 7 Arctic Skuas and 2 Bonxies were noted passing Aird an Runair. 27 Brent Geese flew north at 39 Barnacle Geese were on the machair at Balranald.

Barra: Lots of waders around the island today, in particular Dunlin but also a male Ruff on Vatersay. The Little Egret was at Allasdale. A Blackcap was singing in Castle Bay. 21 Brent Geese were at Eoligarry.

Black-tailed Godwits (Steve Duffield)

4th May:

North Uist: 57+ Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Pink-footed Geese were on Baleshare this afternoon. 12 Black-tailed Godwits flew north-west over Carinish this evening. 5 Long-tailed Skuas and 5 Pomarine Skuas flew north at Aird an Runair along with 340 pale-bellied Brent Geese (in 4 flocks); also an Iceland Gull on the beach there. 112 Whimbrel was also seen on the west side of the island between Balranald and Piable.

South Uist: A Water Rail, 2 Goldfinch and 2 redpolls are at Carnan.

3rd May:

North Uist: At least 400+ Pomarine Skuas and 8 Long-tailed Skuas flew north off Aird an Runair during the day; also around 100 Brent Geese passed the headland. 28 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 44 Barnacle Geese were feeding on the machair at Balranald along with an immature Iceland Gull and Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid. 27 Black-tailed Godwits were near Loch Scarie and 32 were at Loch Sandary.

Lewis: A Dotterel was seen near the Butt before it flew south; also 14 Black-tailed Godwits and 8 Whimbrel were in the area. A juvenile Iceland Gull, 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 25 Pink-footed Geese were at Loch Stiapabhat..

Barra: An arrival of Whimbrel today including a flock of c30 at Allasdale. 34+ Arctic Terns were at Eoligarry. The injured Glaucous Gull was at Allasdale and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Loch Tangusdale this morning.10 Pink-footed Geese were at Eoligarry.

1st May:

Lewis: 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Stiapabhat and 5 were at the Butt along with 5 Whimbrel.

North Uist: 2 immature Iceland Gulls were at the north end of Aird an Runair and 100+ Black-tailed Godwits flew north there this morning. Another 70 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch na Reivil and 2 were at Carinish. A juvenile / 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Grenitote. 10 pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the shore at Balranald. 2 Long-tailed Skuas flew north at Aird an Runair this morning.

Barra: The White-billed Diver was off Eoligarry Pier this afternoon and 25 Great Northern Divers were in the bay to the north. A Little Egret flew in from the north of Grein Head before settling to feed on the south side; also a Snow Bunting and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese heading north there. The juvenile Glaucous Gull is still at Allasdale although appears to have broken its wing.